A Guide to Interview Preparation
A major and difficult aspect of job hunts is the dreaded interview round. The fear of an interview is a natural consequence of seeking approval and validation from others and especially your potential employers. Although talking about oneself may seem natural to certain people, others are apprehensive about being asked about their career or past accomplishments. Perhaps due to modesty or the discomfort arising from being asked questions that are personal to them, the interview has become among the more nerve-wracking parts that are required to hire.
This doesn’t have to be the situation.
Interviews are a crucial opportunity for applicants to showcase their abilities have been demonstrated, as well as their potential. You’ve already passed the first step with your resume passing it through ATS scanners and you being shortlisted for an interview. This opportunity to present and elaborate further on the profile of your employer, background, and key skills and abilities is the proverbial way to get noticed when you convince the interviewer that you have what it takes, it boosts your chances of passing through the next step of the final selection process.
You can, fortunately, prepare for interviews if you have fears about speaking about your own achievements. It is important to practice and luckily, interview questions can be practiced in advance. The secret to flawless interviews is preparation, and here are some helpful tips you can follow to boost your chances of nailing the interview and impressing prospective employers:
Make yourself comfortable when faced with tricky questions.
Interviewers will ask you tough questions, partially because they wish to gain information however, also in order to help how you can get rid of potential contentious issues and issues. For instance, consider the question "Why are you resigning from your current role?"
The answer to this question could be due to management issues, or concerns regarding work-life balance, for instance. Whatever the reason, however, the manner that you formulate the answer will indicate your ability to be a fair and objective observer. Answer honestly and explain your response with as much objectivity as possible. This includes removing any emotional responses , such as answers based on emotions or feelings and are not supported by evidence.
Other important questions to ask are "What did you do to get this position?", "Why should us choose to hire your services?", or trick questions like "Why do us not employ you?" The key is to stay calm and organize your thoughts in a systematic manner.
Before speaking, outline your thoughts using the PREP method: POINT-REASON-EXPLANATION/EXAMPLE/-POINT. Introduce your idea and then provide a concise reason or summary as to why you responded a certain manner. Next, provide examples or further elaborate. Once you’ve thoroughly explained then return to the previous section.
In the same way, if you’re asked to write about your involvement in a project or task it is possible to apply an approach called the STAR Method, which is often used when responding the selection requirements. When you use STAR, you must state an context,followed by a Task,then a description of Actionstaken then the result.
It’s all in body language
Being natural in a stressful environment can be a daunting task but it is possible to try to practice professional communication. Put yourself in front of the mirror or ask a friend you trust to ask you questions and take note of your actions. Are you flitting or shifting around with a nervousness? Do you look intimidating, stiff, defensive, or closed off in your body and speech? Do you use appropriate gestures? Are your facial expressions in line with what you want to make? Do you convey authenticity, openness and genuine interest?
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Before the interview, be sure to review the job description once more. Assuming you read the job description and applied the roles and duties listed therein to modify and customise your resume and other selection documents, it is important to review the job description to honestly package yourself for the interviewer. Be honest and upfront on your strength and weakness. Being realistic about your strengths will allow the interviewer to notice your selling points as a prospect. But, indicating your intention to improve your weaknesses will be just as important.
Prepare questions
Another key aspect of the interview is to show genuine interest in the job and within the business. The most appropriate person to ask to ask questions of the person interviewing you is. If you’ve noticed something you like in the job description, or if you have any questions that were left unanswered through their FAQ or the guide questions (which can be found in the job packet or the general page for hiring About section) You can raise them during the interview when the interviewer encourages you to ask questions. Some of the questions you could ask your employer:
"How can I be the most suitable person for the jobif offered the chance to join the team?"
"Does the company have any major projects underway in the present"
"What are the potential opportunities for further development and training?"
Be aware of your salary expectations
Benefits and salary packages are usually advertised alongside the position (or on a list for those applying through SEEK). But, interviewers might want to know what salary you’re expecting to earn. One important tip is to include a range that you’d like your salary to fall rather than giving an exact, fixed amount. Keep your range tight instead of giving a wide margin. For example, if you anticipate earning $75,000 per year, a reasonable range is anywhere between the $73,000 to $80,000 area or anything in the range of $10,000. Also, be aware of other perks and benefits in addition to these when you evaluate your salary expectations.
These steps to prepare in your back pocket is essential to ensure you have the ability to tackle the most difficult questions. Be confident, be self-assured and courageous.
For assistance in recruitment-related documents and credentials , and also for the preparation for your interview, contact Perth Resume. Our professional and friendly consultants will be able to assist you in your preparation steps. Contact us today for a free quote or call us direct to speak with one our consultants on 1300 648 974.
